A DBA (Doing Business As) registration with the state may be required if you are beginning a business in Maryland and intend to use a name other than your legal name or the name of your registered LLC. In this post, we’ll walk you through the rules, costs, and procedures involved in establishing a DBA in Maryland.
A DBA, or doing business as, registration enables an individual or business to conduct business using a name other than their given name or the name of their registered LLC. A DBA is sometimes referred to as a trade name in Maryland. It is crucial to understand that a DBA merely allows you to conduct business under a different name; it does not establish a new legal company. Maryland’s requirements for a DBA
The name you choose cannot be used by another company in Maryland and you must be a sole proprietor, partnership, or LLC. Additionally, the name you choose cannot be fraudulent or misleading. – The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) requires that you register your DBA. What to do to register a DBA in Maryland
Your DBA name needs to be original and not in use by another company in Maryland. By using the Maryland Business Express Name Search tool, you may determine whether your selected name is available.
Second step: register your DBA. You must submit an application to the SDAT in order to register your DBA in the state of Maryland. By mail or online through the Maryland Business Express portal, you can complete this. For online applications, the filing price is $25; for paper applications, it is $50.
A notice of your registration must be published in a publication with general distribution in the county where your business is located after your DBA application has been submitted. Within 15 days of the registration date, the notice must be published, and you must show the SDAT proof of publishing.
You can apply for a DBA under your current LLC in Maryland if you currently have one and wish to use a different name for business operations. As a result, you will be conducting business under the DBA and your LLC will be its registered owner. You must take the same actions indicated above for filing a DBA as a sole proprietor or partnership in order to file a DBA under an LLC. Differences between an LLC and a DBA A DBA does not have the same level of liability protection as an LLC because it is not a legal company. Because an LLC is a distinct legal entity, its owners have limited liability protection, which means they are not held personally accountable for the debts and liabilities of the company. The proprietors of a DBA, on the other hand, are individually liable for the debts and obligations of the company and do not benefit from any liability protection.
Depending on the kind of registration, there are different prices for registering a business name in Maryland. Application fees for a DBA are $50 for paper applications and $25 for internet applications. The fee to register an LLC is $150 for paper applications and $100 for internet applications. Depending on your business activity, you might also be required to pay additional fees for other registrations and licenses.
Finally, registering a DBA in Maryland is a straightforward procedure that can be completed online or by mail. You can register your trade name and begin operating under a different name by taking the steps mentioned above. It’s crucial to remember that a DBA does not offer liability protection, so you might want to think about creating an LLC or another type of legal corporation instead.
Yes, you must register a trade name, commonly known as a “Doing Business As” or DBA, in Maryland if you intend to conduct business under a name other than your own. The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation mandates this procedure.
A “doing business as” (DBA) name must be registered with the state of Maryland if you want to operate as a sole proprietor in that state. This entails coming up with a distinctive name for your company and submitting a trade name registration form to the SDAT in Maryland. You can use your DBA name on any legal and financial papers for your business once your registration has been approved. Additionally, you will need to file any pertinent tax returns with the state and acquire any licenses or permits required by your industry.